Victorian Zoos reopen with sell out ticket allocations

October 26, 2021

With Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary reopening to the public today, the limited visitor numbers under the first phase of the Victorian Government’s Roadmap has seen all three zoos already completely sold out for this coming weekend. Melbourne Zoo sold out for the entire week, despite no access to indoor areas, no safari bus operating at Werribee and no Spirits of the Sky bird presentation at the Sanctuary this week.

Zoos Victoria Chief Executive Dr Jenny Gray said it was wonderful to see people enjoying the zoo grounds and hear squeals of joy as visitors reconnected with the Zoo animals.

Dr Gray notes “today is a happy day for us as we welcome visitors back to our three great zoos. We have been overwhelmed by the response for tickets and we know that some people may be disappointed if they haven’t secured a ticket during this first phase of reopening. We ask people to be patient as more tickets will become available as we move through to the next phases and are able to host more visitors and open up more areas.

“We are particularly grateful to our 280,000-plus Zoo Members who have continued to support us and who were able to book the majority of this week’s tickets. However, we look forward to welcoming back all Victorians, including those in regional areas, as we reach the next Roadmap milestone.”

Phase one sees zoo visitor numbers at 25% capacity, with a maximum of 3000 visitors a day at Melbourne Zoo, 1750 at Werribee Open Range Zoo and 1250 at Healesville Sanctuary.

Every Zoo Member and visitor must have a ticket pre-booked online and all adult ticketholders (16 years of age and over) are required to provide proof of full vaccination and follow current Victorian Government directions at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au .

For more information about visiting Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary, visit zoo.org.au/update

Meantime, animal lovers at home can stay connected with the zoo animals via Zoos Victoria’s live stream cameras at zoo.org.au/animals-at-home

Image top: World Hippo Day Celebrations at Werribee Open Range Zoo; image centre: Meerkat at Melbourne Zoo; image above; Koala at Healesville Sanctuary

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10th July 2021 - New Board appointments for Zoos Victoria

30th June 2021 - Zoos Victoria trials guardian dogs in protecting endangered Eastern Barred Bandicoot

19th March 2021 - Conservation organisations fund Zoos Victoria’s support of critically endangered Mountain Pygmy-possums

3rd March 2021 - Melbourne Zoo installs QR technology for visitors to access information and virtual zookeeper talks

4th November 2020 - New $84 million elephant sanctuary to be developed at Victoria’s Werribee Zoo

30th September 2020 - Zoos Victoria and RSPCA Victoria collaborate to build new koala hospital

16th July 2020 - Collaboration developed between Geelong Botanic Gardens and Werribee Open Range Zoo

3rd February 2020 - Melbourne Zoo celebrates birth of rare snow leopard cubs

8th December 2019 - Melbourne Zoo innovation leads to giraffe medical breakthrough

15th July 2019 - Melbourne Zoo innovations keep animals warm through winter

30th April 2019 - Zoos Victoria ban all single-use plastics

28th April 2019 - Melbourne Zoo orangutan makes second escape

20th March 2019 - Zoos Victoria raises awareness of herbivore oral health care

11th March 2019 - New device at Melbourne Zoo helps to monitor Little Penguin health

8th March 2019 - Zoos Victoria responds to record number of marine wildlife callouts

13th February 2019 - Healesville Sanctuary staff and volunteers mark the tenth anniversary of the Black Saturday bushfires

22nd January 2019 - Melbourne Zoo builds hydro gym for reptiles

19th January 2019 - New African experience comes to Werribee Open Range Zoo

25th May 2018 - African wildlife education brought to life at Werribee Open Range Zoo

29th July 2016 - Melbourne Zoo highlights plight of orangutans with call for palm oil labelling

16th December 2014 - Werribee Zoo opens new Hippo Beach attraction

2nd July 2014 - Werribee Open Range Zoo opens Bandicoot Hideout

28th April 2014 - Ranger Kids opens at Werribee Open Range Zoo

22nd October 2013 - Werribee Open Range Zoo unveils new arrivals precinct

2nd December 2011 - Gorillas go ape over new Werribee home

20th June 2011 - New veterinary hospital opens at Werribee Open Range Zoo

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